1808.] DR. .1. MURIIC ON A Si'ECIKS OF RAT. 157 



from the Indian species; but I cannot get hold of a specimen. The 

 only AntelojK's here arc two species of Gazelle — one of the Spring-bok 

 type, living in large herds, the other of the Indian type, like Gazella 

 hennettii, solitary or in pairs, more rarely three or four occurring 

 together ; this is perhaps Blyth's G. spekii. I have good horns 

 of both male and female, but no perfect specimen. Besides these ~7^ 

 there is the little Beni-Israel, which I suppose is Antilope saltiana, I 

 a beautiful little animal, with somewhat tiie appearance and habits ' 

 of a Hare. It is almost always met with solitary or in pairs ; more 

 rarely three or four occur together. Above 3000 feet on the passes is 

 an Antelope with somewhat the habits of a Chamois. I have not 

 seen a specimen dead, nor yet a perfect skin ; the hair is singularly 

 coarse. I cannot ascertain what animal this is. A species of Koodoo 

 also occurs in the higher ranges, and, I believe, one or two other ani- 

 mals ; but I have only the accounts of sportsmen, and they are not 

 very trustworthy. A species of Wart-Hog (Phacochoerics) abounds. 

 The birds are more Indian than the mammals. Land-shells very 

 scarce ; indeed I have seen none down here." \ 



Dr. J. Murie exhibited some specimens of young Anthropoid Apes 

 (the Gorilla, Chimpanzee, and Orang), and made remarks upon them 

 and their different varieties. 



The following papers were read : — 



I. Remarks on a Rat lately living iu the Society's Gardens. 

 By James Murie, M.D., Prosector to the Society. 



The specimen which I exhibit before the present meeting is one 

 of three presented to the Society, by Mr. F. Bond, in July 1867. 



The information first derived was to the effect that they had been 

 brought by a ship from Manilla. 



Further inquiry, however, led to the following information from 

 Mr. Bond. The rats had been caught on board a ship, which had 

 sailed from London direct to Sydney, N.S.W., thence to Hong Kong, 

 where she lay some weeks in the port. Afterwards, on the voyage 

 home, the vessel called at Manilla to provision, but anchored at a 

 considerable distance from shore, the only communication with the 

 land being by means of small boats. 



It would thus seem that if the rats were from a foreign port, it 

 is more likely that it was Sydney or Hong Kong than Manilla. 

 If from the first, then the chances would be in favour of their being 

 but a pale-coloured variety or example of albinism in Mus rattus. 

 If from China, where European shipping is so numerous, they might 

 still be the same, although it is possible a light species of rat may 

 exist in that land. 



The peculiarity of colouring and somewhat obscure history deter- 

 mined me upon making a comparison of the specimen with some of 



